Conditions are ripe for Rutgers to pull the upset this weekend, as the Ohio State team we are facing is flawed, and not as good as prior versions. Ohio State is particularly vulnerable in the secondary, due to youth. Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield threw for 386 yards, 3 Touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Rutgers Kyle Bolin is going to have to raise his level of play, and demonstrate similar productivity for For Rutgers to have a chance. The Washington Huskies are better than Ohio State this year, and Rutgers played them competitively. Currently, Washington is ranked #6 and Ohio State is ranked #11 in the AP poll. Ohio State figures to fall out of the Top 25 should they lose to Rutgers.
Prior years, Rutgers linemen looked like they were playing on roller skates, when facing a team like Ohio State. That wasn't the case against Washington and most of the Nebraska game. Nebraska did wear the Rutgers defense out in the fourth quarter due to an 8 minute drive they executed in the third. Nevertheless, Rutgers defense did hold Nebraska to 1 TD and two field goals, in the second half, despite being on the field for 24 out of thirty minutes.
Key to Rutgers defensive improvement has been Rutgers improved defensive line play. The biggest revelation has been #99 DE Kevin Wilkins, who is constantly driving the opposing tackle into the backfield, disrupting running plays, and hurrying the quarterback. #50 NG Julius Turner is increasingly sharing more reps. #51 NG Sebastian Joseph is playing the best football of his career. #95 DT Jon Bateky and #58 DE Turay have also played well, making Rutgers defensive line one of the most improved in the Big Ten. The effectiveness of the line has made it more easier for the LBers to flourish. #6 Deonte Roberts is playing at an All Big Ten level, and is the biggest playmaker of the LB Corp. #15 Trevor Morris is probably the most improved Rutgers defensive player from game 1, and leads the team in tackles. #9 S Saquan Hampton has been our biggest playmaker in the secondary, and is third on the team in tackles. #2 S Kiy Hester is a ball hawk and leads the team in interceptions with 2. Overall, I've felt that the Rutgers defense has played well enough to win every single game.
The defenses efforts have been hampered by an ineffective offense. Unfortunately, most of the blame rests on the quarterbacks shoulders, as it should. To be fair, Kyle Bolin has made tremendous throws at times. A short TD pass to Janarion Grant, just beyond the outstretched arms of a Washington defender, was a beauty. A 48 yard TD strike to Bo Melton against Morgan State, was also a great throw. Problems is, there have been too many instances of inconsistency. Staring down the receiver and having balls picked is the most egregious problem. But overthrowing receivers, not placing the ball accurately enough so receivers can make the catch, throwing the ball into double coverage, and bad communication have also been issues. That is why the fanbase is clamoring to have the quarterback replaced. To be fair, Bolins completin percentage has been hurt by an inordinate amount of drops. Despite all his maladies, I truly believe Kyle Bolin is the best quarterback on Rutgers roster at this time. If he can cleanup his mistakes, and play well against Ohio State, it should silence the critics QB complaints for the balance of the year.
#88 Jerome Washington has been Kyle Bolins favorite target and leads the team with 15 catches and averages 9 yards per catch. Janarion Grant is second with 12 catches, followed by Dacoven Bailey, with 6, who is quietly becoming an integral part of Rutgers receiving Corp. Bailey has made at least a couple of impressive catches along the sideline. Freshmen to look out for include #18 Bo Melton, who has caught a 48 yard bomb for a TD, #82 Hunter Hayek, who had an impressive catch for a first down against Nebraska, and #14 Everett Wormley, who might be the best receiver of the bunch. These guys are going to have to play the game of their lives for Rutgers to have a chance.
Rutgers rushing attack is the led by #13 Gus "The Bus" Edwards, who leads the team with 259 rushing yards. Gus is huge, but needs to run with lower pad level, and really needs to focus on running both-south rather than east-west valley OSU, because their defense is too fast to get outside. #7 Robert Martin has NFL instincts, but is too easily brought down by single defenders. #25 Raheem Blackshear is lightening in a bottle, and needs to get more opportunities with the ball in space. It's is crucial that Rutgers run the ball as well as it can, so that it can better establish the passing attack. The numbers don't have to be great, they just have to be credible. If we can rush Gus 25 Times for 75 yards against Ohio States impressive defensive front, I'd sign up for that right now.
For the most part, Rutgers special teams have been decent, though punt coverage has been consistently awful, and that needs to get better if Rutgers is to have a chance against Ohio State.
Saturday's matchup is not David vs. Goliath. It's more like Rutgers facing a more talented team which can be beaten. Rutgers defense is ranked #24 in the country whereas Ohio States defense is ranked #57. This, despite Rutgers playing a more difficult schedule to date. Ohio States pass defense is vulnerable due to youth. If Rutgets offense can get in gear, we will have a great chance to win.
I'll say it happens Saturday night. This team is MUCH better than its 1-3 record, and Ohio State doesn't see us coming.
Rutgers 34
Ohio State 31
Prior years, Rutgers linemen looked like they were playing on roller skates, when facing a team like Ohio State. That wasn't the case against Washington and most of the Nebraska game. Nebraska did wear the Rutgers defense out in the fourth quarter due to an 8 minute drive they executed in the third. Nevertheless, Rutgers defense did hold Nebraska to 1 TD and two field goals, in the second half, despite being on the field for 24 out of thirty minutes.
Key to Rutgers defensive improvement has been Rutgers improved defensive line play. The biggest revelation has been #99 DE Kevin Wilkins, who is constantly driving the opposing tackle into the backfield, disrupting running plays, and hurrying the quarterback. #50 NG Julius Turner is increasingly sharing more reps. #51 NG Sebastian Joseph is playing the best football of his career. #95 DT Jon Bateky and #58 DE Turay have also played well, making Rutgers defensive line one of the most improved in the Big Ten. The effectiveness of the line has made it more easier for the LBers to flourish. #6 Deonte Roberts is playing at an All Big Ten level, and is the biggest playmaker of the LB Corp. #15 Trevor Morris is probably the most improved Rutgers defensive player from game 1, and leads the team in tackles. #9 S Saquan Hampton has been our biggest playmaker in the secondary, and is third on the team in tackles. #2 S Kiy Hester is a ball hawk and leads the team in interceptions with 2. Overall, I've felt that the Rutgers defense has played well enough to win every single game.
The defenses efforts have been hampered by an ineffective offense. Unfortunately, most of the blame rests on the quarterbacks shoulders, as it should. To be fair, Kyle Bolin has made tremendous throws at times. A short TD pass to Janarion Grant, just beyond the outstretched arms of a Washington defender, was a beauty. A 48 yard TD strike to Bo Melton against Morgan State, was also a great throw. Problems is, there have been too many instances of inconsistency. Staring down the receiver and having balls picked is the most egregious problem. But overthrowing receivers, not placing the ball accurately enough so receivers can make the catch, throwing the ball into double coverage, and bad communication have also been issues. That is why the fanbase is clamoring to have the quarterback replaced. To be fair, Bolins completin percentage has been hurt by an inordinate amount of drops. Despite all his maladies, I truly believe Kyle Bolin is the best quarterback on Rutgers roster at this time. If he can cleanup his mistakes, and play well against Ohio State, it should silence the critics QB complaints for the balance of the year.
#88 Jerome Washington has been Kyle Bolins favorite target and leads the team with 15 catches and averages 9 yards per catch. Janarion Grant is second with 12 catches, followed by Dacoven Bailey, with 6, who is quietly becoming an integral part of Rutgers receiving Corp. Bailey has made at least a couple of impressive catches along the sideline. Freshmen to look out for include #18 Bo Melton, who has caught a 48 yard bomb for a TD, #82 Hunter Hayek, who had an impressive catch for a first down against Nebraska, and #14 Everett Wormley, who might be the best receiver of the bunch. These guys are going to have to play the game of their lives for Rutgers to have a chance.
Rutgers rushing attack is the led by #13 Gus "The Bus" Edwards, who leads the team with 259 rushing yards. Gus is huge, but needs to run with lower pad level, and really needs to focus on running both-south rather than east-west valley OSU, because their defense is too fast to get outside. #7 Robert Martin has NFL instincts, but is too easily brought down by single defenders. #25 Raheem Blackshear is lightening in a bottle, and needs to get more opportunities with the ball in space. It's is crucial that Rutgers run the ball as well as it can, so that it can better establish the passing attack. The numbers don't have to be great, they just have to be credible. If we can rush Gus 25 Times for 75 yards against Ohio States impressive defensive front, I'd sign up for that right now.
For the most part, Rutgers special teams have been decent, though punt coverage has been consistently awful, and that needs to get better if Rutgers is to have a chance against Ohio State.
Saturday's matchup is not David vs. Goliath. It's more like Rutgers facing a more talented team which can be beaten. Rutgers defense is ranked #24 in the country whereas Ohio States defense is ranked #57. This, despite Rutgers playing a more difficult schedule to date. Ohio States pass defense is vulnerable due to youth. If Rutgets offense can get in gear, we will have a great chance to win.
I'll say it happens Saturday night. This team is MUCH better than its 1-3 record, and Ohio State doesn't see us coming.
Rutgers 34
Ohio State 31
